From Paul Osuyi, Asaba
Violence has erupted in Ubulu-Uku, an agrarian community in Aniocha South Local Government Area of Delta State where local vigilante members engaged a murderous gang of armed men.
The bandits suspected to be herdsmen were said to have launched an attack on a member of the local security outfit, killing him along the Ubulu-Uku-Issele-Uku road on Monday.
The deceased simply identified as Sule who hailed from Isho quarter of Ubulu-Uku had resumed for the day’s work unknowing that the gunmen had laid ambush for him.
A local source said “as he was changing his clothes to his official uniform, a man armed with gun, reportedly emerged from the bush near the security post and shot him in the head. He died before help could come.”
The development irked his colleagues who went after the marauding gunmen on a vengeful mission, combing the bushes.
Their efforts reportedly paid off as they apprehended three suspects, including a commercial motorcyclist believed to be working for criminal elements.
However, an angry mob allegedly took laws into their own hands, setting two of the suspects ablaze before of security operatives, following reported attempts by unknown persons suspected to be members of the murderous gang to set the suspects free.
As a result, the gunmen were said to have regrouped and mounted a road block on Ubulu-Uku-Issele-Uku road with a view to attacking any passers-by.
But the intervention of a detachment of police men from the Delta State Command in collaboration with vigilance men dislodged the gunmen.
Confirming the development, the state Commissioner of Police, Wale Abass said normalcy has been restored to the troubled community.
Abass said two persons were killed in the attacks by warring groups, adding that one suspect is presently in custody, helping operatives with investigation.
“There was breakdown of law and order in Ubulu-Uku as a result of altercation between two groups but before then there was a problem between the vigilante and herders which to the death of a vigilante member.
“The death of the vigilante member was not reported, rather they took laws into their own hands, laid ambush and two people were killed.
“What we have done is to deploy more tactical teams who have restored normalcy. I want to appeal to our people that we are not in Banana Republic, you do not need to take laws into your own hands. Report whatever security threat to the police for proper resolution,” he said.
Meanwhile, locals said the community has become volatile, claiming a middle aged man was last week abducted almost at the same spot where Sule was allegedly murdered, and git released after payment of ranson.
Two weeks ago, another victim was also said to have been kidnapped.
This is besides the alleged strangling to death of a 76-year woman identified as Theresa Okocha at her apartment.
Recall that in 2016, the traditional ruler of the community, Ofolue, was murdered by gunmen who abducted him.